luff

  1. Noun.  (nautical) The vertical edge of a sail that is closest to the direction of the wind.
  2. Verb.  (nautical, of a sail) To shake due to being trimmed improperly.
  3. Verb.  (nautical, of a boat) To alter course to windward so that the sails luff. (Alternatively ''luff up'').
  4. Verb.  (nautical, transitive) to let out [a sail] so that it luffs.
  5. Verb.  (context, mechanical) To alter the vertical angle of the jib of a crane so as to bring it level with the load.

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This entry was last updated on RefTopia from its source on 3/20/2012.